NASA's Cassini probe , which has been exploring Saturn and its satellites since July 2004, when it entered the orbit of the ringed planet, has obtained some of the most detailed images ever taken of Hyperion, one of its moons.
Among planetary science experts, this satellite, named after one of the titans in Greek mythology, is reputed to be one of the strangest objects in the Solar System: its shape is reminiscent of a sponge, measuring about 300 kilometers in diameter and has a very low density , so astronomers suspect that it must have numerous hollows and caves and contain more frozen water than rock. In addition, it presents an amazing rotation that is often described as a "chaotic wobble".
In the new photographs, taken by Cassini from just 21,000 miles, you can clearly see its cratered surface and a trail of dark materials inside. The largest of them is 10 kilometers deep and 120 in diameter. Due to its peculiarities, it is believed that Hyperion, which is a million and a half kilometers from Saturn, could have suffered a cataclysmic collision in the past, perhaps with a comet.
